An attempt was made by the Society in 1868 to introduce the silk industry. The attempt was a failure, as it was found that the worms could not stand the fierce nor’-west winds which tore across the plains. So far as the writer knows the experiment has not been repeated. Since then the rigors of these winds have been considerably abated by the cultivation of the plains, and by the extensive area of plantation. The Canterbury climate is very suitable for the growth of the mulberry, and it is possible the Province may yet vie with the south of France as a silk producing country.
In later years the Society established several herds of red deer in the mountainous districts of Canterbury, notably the very fine herd in the Rakaia Gorge, and was instrumental in turning out chamois amongst the Mount Cook ranges. The chamois were presented by the Emperor of Austria.
The bumble bee was introduced about 1885, as it was found that the red clover required the assistance of this insect to enable it to fertilise its seed. The bee spread over the country with extraordinary rapidity, and the newspaper columns at the time were full of letters recording the arrival of bumble bees at distant parts of Canterbury. The immediate purpose of its acclimatisation was speedily fulfilled, and growing of red clever and cowgrass for seed became a profitable branch of agriculture, but incidentally the bees promoted cross fertilisation of all sorts of flowers and vegetables. An accidental acclimatisation was that of the Californian Thistle, supposed to have been imported with their fodder by a troop of Mexican cow-boys. Large sums of money have been spent in the attempt to eradicate this pest, but lately some pastoralists have asserted that it is a positive advantage in sheep country—affording good feed, particularly in a drought.
The Canterbury Acclimatisation Society still occupies the original site set aside for it by the Provincial Council
